Target: Syrian Minister of the Interior Major General Mohamad Ibrahim al-Shaar

Goal: To attain the release of Syrian aid worker who has been imprisoned without charge

Syrian security forces have held Syrian Arab Red Crescent worker Mohamed Raed al-Tawil without charge for over two weeks. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent is part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The aid worker is being held in an undisclosed location and has not been allowed visitors.

According to reports obtained by Amnesty International, it is believed that he has also been subjected to torture and other ill treatment. A man that shared a cell with al-Tawil has stated to Amnesty International that on one occasion al-Tawil was taken to another room where he was heard screaming. Upon return, he complained about severe back pain and had visible wounds on his body.

It is believed that the security forces were interrogating him about providing medical assistance to rebel forces. Amnesty International has had numerous reports about similar human rights abuses committed against those who have treated wounded soldiers or even citizens. Syrian security forces have killed an estimated 500 people in captivity since the beginning of 2012 and 650 since the beginning of the unrest in 2011.

Sign this petition to release Mohamed Raed al-Tawil if he is not to be charged with a crime that is internationally recognized as a criminal offense. The record of human rights abuses against human rights workers in Syria is extensive but that does not mean that there can be no end to the violence. Attaining the release of Mohamed Raed al-Tawil will be a step towards allowing human rights groups to effectively aid the citizens suffering under the brutal Assad regime.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Major General Mohamad Ibrahim al-Shaar,

I demand that you release Mohamed Raed al-Tawil immediately and unconditionally. As a member of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Mr. al-Tawil is simply aiding the citizens suffering due to the conflict in your country.

I insist that your government provide the whereabouts of Mohamed Raed al-Tawil and guarantee that he will face no more torture at the hands of your security forces. His family must be allowed to visit with him and we also ask that a lawyer be provided to him. The lawyer is only necessary if you intend to charge him with an internationally recognized crime.

By following these conditions Syria may begin to repair its image and human rights record. We ask that an independent investigative body be established so that the reports of human rights abuses in your prisons can be examined. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Charles Roffey via Fotopedia

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